The Nars Laser Cut Eye, Cheek, and Lip Palette ($59) has some outstanding products within it, as well as some staples that are lovely to have on the road. As I prepare for an upcoming cruise, you can bet that this little party-in-a-palette will be sailing along with me.

I love the clean format of this palette-it looks so gorgeous, like a lacquered box suitable for an end table. The wintry pattern, and the stark black sides, are so simple and timeless.

Inside are some truly spectacular eyeshadows. Usually I’m wary of palette eyeshadows. But here the center shade is gasp-worthy–it is complex and does lovely, shimmery things in the light. The other two shades are very good matte neutrals. Yes, I know mattes in other lines can be patchy and difficult, but Nars has these two nailed down just right. The neutral vanilla is a nice All About Eve type color (a little more beige) that melts into the lid. I can use the matte army green as a liner or a outer corner shade. It’s a very good matte green, in a world that is full of other companies’ not-so-good ones.

Inside are respectably large sized pans of Day Dream blush (reviewed here) and the lovely standard Laguna bronzer. Also, there’s a diminutive neutral Dolce Vita gloss, on of those colors that I’ve used all the way to the end. It’s a perfect “my lips but better” shade.Swatches:

Overall, this is a highly useful and well-executed palette. If you are on the edge, I’d have to say that the shimmery cafe au lait would put you over the top if you saw it in person. Plus, Day Dream is such a lovely blush (I’m so happy to see it in this palette!). In case you’d like to gift it, take it on vacation with you, or simply tuck it into your drawer for a perfect everything-palette, it is available at Nars online,Nordstrom,Neiman Marcus,Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barneys.

This palette was provided to Cafe Makeup without charge for consideration for review. This post contains affiliate links (for more information see About Cafe Makeup)

Sometimes it’s hard to choose, isn’t it? Nars makes such beautiful and versatile lip pencils, and they’re all such amazing colors. Which to invest in? Holiday sets solve this dilemma beautiful. Nars Digital World Lip Pencil Coffret ($49) is ideal for those locking for a little range of colors at a lovely, usable size, without too much commitment to any single color. This set gives five different colors (two different textures) at a modest $49 price point. This is currently up for sale on Nars online, as well as Sephora.com. It will soon be available at other Nars sources.

The set three satin pencils, including NARS Descanto–a Cafe Makeup favorite! Seriously, both Liz and I have plenty of these between us. A perfect nude.

In addition, there are two matte velvet shades–Iberico and Cruella. Beautiful! Here are swathes:

One more set:

This is one of my favorite holiday sets this entire season. Definitely worth picking up!!Beautiful colors, great-reusable, modern packaging, a perfect range of shades. Love. Nars Digital World Lip Pencil Coffret is currently up for sale on Nars online, as well as Sephora.com. It will soon be available at other Nars sources.

This product was sent to Cafe Makeup without charge for consideration for review. This post contains affiliate links (for more information, see About Cafe Makeup). The pictures of Liz, above, are from our prior reviews of the full sized versions of the pencils.

Nars has outdone itself this year for its Holiday gifting offerings. This is a look at the Nars Kabuki Brush Set ($125), a beautifully packaged, modern, and wonderfully made set that would be an amazing gift to give or receive. This is currently available at NARS online, and will come available at other Nars locations on November 1st.

The three included artisan brushes appear to be magically suspended in a modern clear crystal lace pattern is adapted from architectural designer Chris Kabatsi’s digitally-rendered Nebula print. This cube is reusable for storing other items throughout the rest of the year.

Inside are three brushes that have amazing performance, elegant design, and are a pleasure to use. These are:

Here is the amazing Mie Kabuki brush, which is a wonderful brush for all-over powders or the soft application of bronzer. Also the Mizubaki brush, which has a smaller head for contouring or precise highlight placement.

Overall, this is an amazing, well-priced and high quality brush set that is beautifully packaged and ready for gifting (or using for own makeup application). Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! It’s already up for sale on Nars online, and will be available at other locations soon.

This set was sent to Cafe Makeup without charge for consideration for review. This post contains affiliate links (for more information, see About Cafe Makeup).

NARS’ exclusive Laced with Edge Holiday 2014 Gifting Collection exposes a world of color, where technology is seduced by fashion and femininity smolders in a disruptive new dimension. Swathed in digital lace, the keepsake collection brings fashion to the forefront with abstract white webs and hints of sleek red foil popping through. Translucent outer packaging creates futuristic illusions, seducing the eye in to a paradigm of color and pattern.

Chris Kabatsi Nebula

Chris Kabatsi Nebula

The custom packaging adapts architectural designer Chris Kabatsi’s digitally-rendered Nebula print into a dynamic yet delicate depiction. The intricate web of black gloss grips the signature soft-touch packaging in a modern take on lace. Slip into something transfixing—undress the part. The algorithmically generated pattern of the Nebula explores the formation and organization of the cosmos.

Algorithm Laguna Bronzer ($89) Golden ratio redux. The iconic NARS bronzer, Laguna, recoded into a geometric fantasy—logically aligned with a mobile take on the classic Ita brush. Here is the compact: